Todd Graves

Todd Graves, the founder and CEO of Raising Cane's, shares his inspiring journey from skepticism to success. He highlights the importance of focusing on quality chicken fingers and staying true to a simple menu. Todd discusses his unconventional financing methods, including grueling jobs in oil and fishing, and reflects on how criticism fueled his ambition. The conversation delves into the significance of maintaining control over a brand and the operational advantages of a focused menu, all while emphasizing a purpose-driven approach to business.

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, shares insights from his journey of building a $20 billion fast-food empire. He emphasizes the importance of focus, inspired by In-N-Out Burger's success, and discusses overcoming skepticism while starting out. Todd reveals his unconventional paths to financing and the sacrifices made in the early days. He highlights a culture of positive management and the relentless pursuit of quality, illustrating how commitment to values drives true success beyond profit.

Todd Graves, the Founder and CEO of Raising Cane's, shares his inspiring journey from working grueling jobs to realizing his dream of opening a chicken finger restaurant. He discusses the challenges of securing funding and the rejection he faced, emphasizing the importance of perseverance. Todd talks about the significance of a focused menu strategy and the impact of community support in his early days. He reflects on how his childhood passion for cooking shaped the brand's identity and how family ties contribute to Raising Cane's success.

Todd Graves, founder of Raising Cane's, shares his expertise in business growth and operations. He advises an aspiring coffee entrepreneur on the importance of validating a franchise model before scaling. For a pasta company founder with financial hurdles, Todd suggests creative financing options like subordinated debt. He also cautions a focaccia sandwich creator about the challenges of opening a brick-and-mortar location, recommending alternative strategies like pop-ups to maintain scalability and focus.

Todd Graves, the energetic founder of Raising Cane's, shares his incredible journey from commercial fishing in Alaska to running a billion-dollar chicken finger empire. He emphasizes the importance of resilience, positivity, and community in building his successful business. Graves discusses maintaining happiness amid rapid growth, the value of nurturing workplace connections, and the unique challenges of scaling a restaurant chain. With humor and honesty, he reflects on past choices, illustrating how personal experiences shape entrepreneurial spirit.